The hotel to which I had been directed was on Union Square.

It was not far from our apartments, and I intended to walk there, but I had not gone half a block before the street was lit up with a vivid flash of lightning, followed by deafening thunder, and the wind blew damp in my face.

I hurried toward Third Avenue, intending to mount one of the horse cars going down-town, but suddenly a fierce gust of wind swept over me, sowing great drops of rain along the pavement.

I looked about for a cab.
The street was deserted and so dark that I could see nothing except the gloomy rows of brown stone that stood on either side.

While I was looking backward another flash of lightning illumined the street.